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Mimi Kennedy
Mimi Kennedy at National Election Integrity Conference.jpg
Kennedy speaks at the National Election Integrity Conference in 2017.
Born
Mary Claire Kennedy

(1948-09-25) September 25, 1948 (age 76)
Occupation Actress, writer
Years active 1970–present
Spouse(s)
Larry Dilg
(m. 1978)
Children 2

Mary Claire "Mimi" Kennedy (born September 25, 1948) is an American actress, author, and activist. She is well-known for her roles in TV shows, especially comedies. Mimi Kennedy became famous for playing Ruth Sloan in the series Homefront (1991–1993). She gained even more recognition in the comedies Dharma & Greg (1997–2002) and Mom (2013–2021). For her role in Mom, she was nominated for a special award for comedy performers. Mimi Kennedy has also appeared in many movies, including Erin Brockovich (2000) and Midnight in Paris (2011).

Mimi Kennedy's Early Life

Mimi Kennedy was born in Rochester, New York. Her parents were Nancy Helen and Daniel Gerald Kennedy. She started acting in theater when she was just 12 years old. Her first play was Spider Web by Agatha Christie in October 1960. She grew up in Rochester and finished high school there in 1966. Later, she went to Smith College. In the 1970s, she was in a musical called Rhinegold.

Mimi Kennedy's Acting Career

Mimi Kennedy began her career in theater. She was part of The National Lampoon Show, which was directed by John Belushi. She even tried out for Saturday Night Live but another actress, Jane Curtin, got the part.

Early TV Roles

In 1977, Mimi Kennedy appeared in the Broadway musical Grease. She then got a role in a TV show called 3 Girls 3. She also played a sister in Stockard Channing in Just Friends in 1979. During the 1980s, she starred in several TV comedies. These included The Two of Us (1981–1982) and Spencer (1984–1985).

Becoming a TV Star

Mimi Kennedy took on a more serious role in the popular show Homefront, which ran from 1991 to 1993. After that, she was a regular on Savannah (1996–1997). In 1997, she returned to comedy. She played Abby O'Neil, the mother of the main character, in the hit comedy Dharma & Greg. This show was very popular and ran until 2002.

Recent Roles and Recognition

In the 2000s, Mimi Kennedy appeared as a guest star in many well-known TV shows. These included Grey's Anatomy, House, and ER. She also had supporting roles in movies like In the Loop (2009) and Midnight in Paris (2011).

In 2013, Mimi Kennedy joined the cast of the comedy series Mom. She played Marjorie, a kind mentor to the main characters. Her performance on Mom earned her a nomination for a Critics' Choice Television Award. She became a main cast member in the show's second season and continued until the show ended in 2021.

In 2022, Mimi Kennedy shared a video with her husband, Larry Dilg. In the video, they talked about their friendships with musician Jim Steinman and singer Meatloaf. She also shared stories from her time touring with The National Lampoon Show.

Mimi Kennedy's Personal Life

Mimi Kennedy is also an activist. She supports several causes that aim for social progress. She is the chairperson for the board of the Progressive Democrats of America. She also writes regularly for a publication called LA Progressive.

In 1996, she published her memoir, Taken to the Stage: The Education of an Actress. A memoir is a book about a person's own life experiences. In 2023, this book was re-released as a paperback and an audiobook.

Selected Film and Television Roles

Mimi Kennedy has had many roles in both movies and television shows. Here are some of her notable appearances:

Movies

  • 1990: Pump Up the Volume as Marla Hunter
  • 2000: Erin Brockovich as Laura Ambrosino
  • 2009: In the Loop as Karen Clark
  • 2010: Due Date as Sarah's Mom
  • 2011: Midnight in Paris as Helen
  • 2012: The Five-Year Engagement as Carol Solomon

Television Shows

  • 1979: Just Friends as Victoria Chasen
  • 1981–1982: The Two of Us as Nan Gallagher
  • 1991–1993: Homefront as Ruth Sloan
  • 1997–2002: Dharma & Greg as Abby O'Neil
  • 2005: Grey's Anatomy as Verna Bradley
  • 2006: House as Greta Sims
  • 2013–2021: Mom as Marjorie Armstrong-Perugian
  • 2022: Grace and Frankie as Jody

Awards and Nominations

Mimi Kennedy has been recognized for her acting.

  • In 2007, she won the Best Ensemble Cast award at the Method Fest Independent Film Festival for the movie Man in the Chair.
  • In 2014, she was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for her role in Mom.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mimi Kennedy para niños

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